Dimholt – Metaform (Review)

Dimholt are a Bulgarian black metal band and this is their third album.

I enjoyed 2014’s Liberation Funeral and 2019’s Epistēmē – I had thought I reviewed the latter too, but apparently not. Which brings us to Metaform; 52 minutes of quality and enjoyable black metal.

It’s clear Dimholt have spent some time on this record, and not just because their last one came out six years ago. Metaform‘s quality is apparent from the very start – songwriting, production, overall sound and feel – Dimholt have put out an album that’s engaging and enjoyable.

This is an album that manages to hit a sweet spot between the more accessible and the more esoteric forms of the style. In other words, Metaform is damn good, and succeeds in delivering songs that are easy to get into, but have significant replay value.

The music is well-crafted, with a well-balanced mix of hooks and atmosphere. Dimholt know how to build and structure black metal. They know how to take the listener on a journey, and they know how to unleash Hell when they need to. Rather than simply opting for a fully atmospheric approach, Dimholt use worldbuilding to immerse the listener in their dark soundscapes, all the while remembering to provide enough memorable hooks to ensnare the listener.

The vocals are perfect for the style, all snarling malice and venomous hostility. In places, mournful cleans augment the primary blackened screams too, and are just as well-performed.

Metaform is a very enjoyable and satisfying slice of well-crafted black metal. Highly recommended for fans of the style.